NYC Refuses to Detain Illegal Immigrant Accused of Deadly Arson Attack

Authorities say Mexican national set fire that killed 4 and injured 7, but city's sanctuary policies prevent his transfer to ICE

Apr. 17, 2026 at 1:50am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a charred matchbox against a pitch-black background, conveying the stark, gritty aftermath of a deadly crime.The charred remains of a matchbox serve as a grim reminder of the deadly arson attack that claimed four lives in New York City.NYC Today

A Mexican national illegal immigrant accused of randomly setting a New York City apartment building on fire, killing four people and injuring seven others, could be released back onto the streets due to the city's sanctuary policies. The Department of Homeland Security says New York City officials are refusing to honor an ICE detainer request to turn over the suspect, Roman Ceron Amatitla, to federal immigration authorities.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between local sanctuary city policies and federal immigration enforcement, with critics arguing that such policies endanger public safety by allowing dangerous criminals to avoid deportation. The deadly arson attack has renewed debates over the balance between protecting undocumented immigrants and ensuring community security.

The details

Amatitla, 38, is charged with eight counts of second-degree murder and first-degree arson after allegedly lighting a three-story Flushing building on fire on March 16. Authorities say he entered and exited the building multiple times, urinated in front of the apartments, and then went to a nearby gas station where he bought a beer, stole another, and took a pack of matches. He then allegedly returned to the building, lit a piece of paper on fire, and tossed it onto trash near a stairwell, causing a deadly blaze. Katz said Amatitla stayed in the area to watch people burn and jump from the windows while sipping his beer, in what she described as an "act of mass murder."

  • On March 16, Amatitla allegedly set the deadly fire in Flushing, New York.
  • On April 17, 2026, DHS officials confirmed Amatitla is an illegal immigrant, though it is unclear when he entered the country.

The players

Roman Ceron Amatitla

A 38-year-old Mexican national illegal immigrant accused of randomly setting a New York City apartment building on fire, killing four people and injuring seven others.

Melinda Katz

The Queens District Attorney who said Amatitla's actions amounted to an "act of mass murder."

Lauren Bis

The acting assistant secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, who criticized New York City's sanctuary policies for refusing to cooperate with ICE to detain Amatitla.

Zohran Mamdani

The mayor of New York City, whose executive order shielding criminal illegal immigrants from ICE enforcement has been criticized by DHS.

Kathy Hochul

The Democratic governor of New York, whose legislative proposal to bar local police from partnering with ICE has also been criticized by DHS.

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What they’re saying

“This monster set fire to a building and watched as innocent people, including a three-year-old, burned to death. New York City sanctuary politicians REFUSE to cooperate with ICE and are choosing to RELEASE this MURDERER onto New York streets.”

— Lauren Bis, Acting Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

“New York's sanctuary politicians must stop putting politics above public safety. Releasing this monster from jail is insanity and will allow him to commit more crimes and create more innocent victims. We are calling on Governor Hochul and Mayor Mamdani to not release this public safety threat.”

— Lauren Bis, Acting Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

What’s next

DHS officials say they have requested that the New York City Department of Corrections not release Amatitla from jail, but the city's sanctuary policies mean they will refuse to cooperate. It remains to be seen if the state or city will intervene to prevent Amatitla's potential release.

The takeaway

This tragic case highlights the ongoing clash between local sanctuary policies and federal immigration enforcement, with critics arguing that such policies endanger public safety by allowing dangerous criminals to avoid deportation. The deadly arson attack has reignited debates over the appropriate balance between protecting undocumented immigrants and ensuring community security.